Diurnal asymmetry in the lower ionosphere — seasonal variability

Summary On the basis of long period measurements of ionospheric absorption in five A3 circuits in Central Europe, it is shown that the considerable seasonal variation of the diurnal asymmetry of absorption, found in[1], exhibits practically no year-to-year variability and is well-developed at equivalent frequencies f _eq 1 MHz, while it vanishes at F _eq 2 MHz. The limited data on the diurnal asymmetry of the D-region electron concentration are consistent with the seasonal pattern of the diurnal asymmetry in absorption. A tentative hypothesis of nitric oxide variability as the cause of the seasonal variation of the asymmetry is proposed.     

A3 ionospheric absorption measurements at 1538 kHz — first results

Summary A series of absorption measurements covering more than two years, carried out by the A3 method (oblique incidence) on 1538 kHz at the Panská Ves Observatory, is studied. The measuring equipment is shortly described, as well as calibration and the measuring path. Both the diurnal variation of absorption, including its asymmetry, and the seasonal variation of absorption, including the winter anomaly, are observed in a predicted form. The computed height profile of absorption shows that nearly all the absorption is formed in the middle and upper D-region. The 1538 kHz absorption measurements could serve as a very good tool for studying the D-region, but there are still some difficulties attributed to the determination of the zero level of absorption. Suggestions are given how to remove this difficulty.     

Diurnal variations of the total electron content under quiet helio-geomagnetic conditions

The morphology of averaged diurnal variations of total electron content (TEC) under quiet helio-geomagnetic conditions for all latitudinal bands and various longitudes has been studied using Global Ionospheric Maps (GIMs) datasets. The diurnal TEC variation maximum is generally registered at 14–15 LT. The maximum is 38±5, 14±2, 10±2 TECU (TECU is generally accepted TEC unit) at the equatorial, middle and high latitudes. The nighttime TEC minimum is within 5–7 TECU regardless of a season, latitude and longitude. At the equatorial latitudes TEC exhibits the most significant daily/season variations and the asymmetry of its behavior in the hemispheres near the equinox. Abnormal diurnal TEC variations (evening maximum, near-noon minimum) are observed at middle and high latitudes in summer due to atmospheric wind effects. The comparison of the averaged diurnal TEC variations with the behavior of the ionospheric F2-layer critical frequency indicated that GIMs describe daily/annual TEC variations reasonably well.     

Yearly variations in the low-latitude topside ionosphere

Observations made by the Hinotori satellite have been analysed to determine the yearly variations of the electron density and electron temperature in the low-latitude topside ionosphere. The observations reveal the existence of an equinoctial asymmetry in the topside electron density at low latitudes, i.e. the density is higher at one equinox than at the other. The asymmetry is hemisphere-dependent with the higher electron density occurring at the March equinox in the Northern Hemisphere and at the September equinox in the Southern Hemisphere. The asymmetry becomes stronger with increasing latitude in both hemispheres. The behaviour of the asymmetry has no significant longitudinal and magnetic activity variations. A mechanism for the equinoctial asymmetry has been investigated using CTIP (coupled thermosphere ionosphere plasmasphere model). The model results reproduce the observed equinoctial asymmetry and suggest that the asymmetry is caused by the north-south imbalance of the thermosphere and ionosphere at the equinoxes due to the slow response of the thermosphere arising from the effects of the global thermospheric circulation. The observations also show that the relationship between the electron density and electron temperature is different for daytime and nighttime. During daytime the yearly variation of the electron temperature has negative correlation with the electron density, except at magnetic latitudes lower than 10°. At night, the correlation is positive.     

Tidal flow asymmetry in the diurnal regime: bed-load transport and morphologic changes around the Red River Delta

The relation between tidal flow asymmetry and net transport of sediment in the semidiurnal regime has been extensively described. This study reveals that in the diurnal regime, the direction of long-term net bed-load transport and resulting morphologic changes is partly determined by the phase-angle relationship of O₁, K₁, and M₂. Simple analytical formulations of time-averaged bed-load transport were derived which separate the relative contributions of tidal asymmetry from that of residual flow with tidal stirring. In this particular case, the Red River Delta in Vietnam, transports related to tidal asymmetry are larger than those induced by the monsoon currents, and are an order of magnitude larger than those associated with topographic residual flow around the delta. Tide-induced morphologic changes dominate at water depths between 10 and 25 m, of which the patterns of erosion and deposition overlap with observed bathymetric changes. Additional observed changes that occur in more shallow water cannot be explained by tidal asymmetry and are probably related to wave action and to deposition from the buoyant river plume.Responsible Editor: Jens Kappenberg     

乌梁素海湖冰晴天反照率日变化特征的统计模型比较和分析

乌梁素海湖冰晴天反照率日变化具有双峰特征,利用当地太阳高度角同经纬度和儒历的关系,归一化到北京时,依此表达湖冰反照率日变化规律.基于具有指数函数形式的拉普拉斯、高斯、耿贝尔和柯西4种概率密度分布函数建立线性组合模型,对日出后到日落前太阳高度角大于5°时段内的反照率日变化数据进行拟合,发现拉普拉斯密度分布函数组合是最佳统计模型.它既能拟合太阳高度角大于5°时间范围内反照率日变化曲线的双峰特征,又能反映太阳高度角大于15°时间范围内反照率日变化曲线双峰之间的U型分布.该模型不仅形式简单,而且意义明确：尺度参数约为日长的一半,双峰位置与日出时刻关系密切;同时能体现2个反照率峰值的不对称性.为发展不同地区湖冰反照率日变化参数化方案奠定基础.     

Tidal inlet velocity asymmetry in diurnal regimes

Tidal velocity asymmetry at inlets influences sediment transport pathways and the morphological evolution of estuaries/lagoons connected to these inlets. Generation of overtides is generally seen as the main cause of tidal velocity asymmetry. Whilst majority of studies examining tidal velocity asymmetry have concentrated on inlets located in semi-diurnal tidal regimes, here, attention is focused on the processes responsible for causing tidal velocity asymmetry at inlets located in diurnal tidal regimes. Using field data collected from three West Australian inlets, it is shown that tidal velocity asymmetry in this type of system is caused by the oceanic tidal conditions. It is also shown that in these systems, the occurrence of flood/ebb dominance can be determined using oceanic tidal elevations, which are more readily available than inlet current data. In contrast to semi-diurnal systems the flood/ebb dominance in diurnal systems varies throughout the year depending on the phase angle relationship between the significant oceanic tidal constituents. The net sediment transport in to/out of these systems, which determines the morphological evolution of the systems, is shown to be governed more by the degree of tidal velocity asymmetry rather than the number of occurrences or duration of flood/ebb-dominant periods.     

On the diurnal variation of the E-region coherent HF echo occurrence

We present a statistical study of the diurnal variations of the E-region backscatter occurrence observed by 15 SuperDARN radars over 3 years. The diurnal variation of echo occurrence observed by each radar is examined for three levels of geomagnetic activity. It is found that the E-region echo occurrence for individual radars exhibits very similar diurnal variations for low geomagnetic activity, with the differences between radars increasing with activity. This indicates that local processes become more important in the generation of the E-region echoes during disturbed periods. It is also shown that the majority of E-region backscatter structures take the form of diffuse echo bands rather than discrete echo patches, with the dominance of diffuse echoes increasing with activity. Finally, a hypothesis that the echo occurrence is controlled by the radar's coverage of the auroral oval is tested using the electron and ion oval models derived from the DMSP satellite observations.     

The features and a possible mechanism of semiannual variation in the peak electron density of the low latitude F2 layer

Ionospheric data observed in 30 stations located in 3 longitude sectors (East Asia/Australia Sector, Europe/Africa Sector and America/East Pacific Ocean Sector) during 1974–1986 are used to analyse the characteristics of semiannual variation in the peak electron density of F2 layer (NmF2). The results indicate that the semiannual variation of NmF2 mainly presents in daytime. In nighttime, except in the region of geomagnetic equator between the two crests of ionospheric equatorial anomaly, NmF2 has no obvious semiannual variation. In the high latitude region, only in solar maxima years and in daytime, there are obvious semiannual variations of NmF2. The amplitude distribution of the semiannual variation of daytime NmF2 with latitude has a “double-humped structure”, which is very similar to the ionospheric equatorial anomaly. There is asymmetry between the Southern and the Northern Hemispheres of the profile of the amplitude of semiannual variation of NmF2 and longitudinal difference. A new possible mechanism of semiannual variation of NmF2 is put forward in this paper. The semiannual variation of the diurnal tide in the lower thermosphere induces the semiannual variation of the amplitude of the equatorial electrojet. This causes the semiannual variation of the amplitude of ionospheric equatorial anomaly through fountain effect. This process induces the semiannual variation of the low latitude NmF2.     

Substorm correlated absorption on a 3200 km trans-auroral HF propagation path

A high-frequency transmitter located at Clyde River, NWT, Canada, and a receiver located near Boston, USA, provide a 3200 km trans-auroral, near-meridional propagation path over which the propagation characteristics have been measured. Out of the fourteen frequencies in the HF band sampled every hour for the duration of the experimental campaign (16 January-8 February 1989), the signal level measurements of 6.800 MHz transmissions were selected in order to determine the extent and occurrence of auroral absorption. The median level of auroral absorption along the path is found to increase with geomagnetic activity, quantified by the index K_p, with the increase being greater in the post-midnight sector than in the pre-midnight sector. This asymmetric behaviour is attributed to the precipitation of high energy electrons into the midnight and morning sector auroral D region. The measured diurnal variation in the median level of absorption is consistent with previous models describing the extent and magnitude of auroral absorption and electron precipitation. Individual substorms, identified from geosynchronous satellite data, are found to cause short-lived absorption events in the HF signal level of \sim30 dB at 6.800 MHz. The occurrence of substorm correlated auroral absorption events is confined to the midnight and morning sectors, consistent with the location of the electron precipitation. The magnitude of absorption is related to the magnetotail stress during the substorm growth phase and the magnetotail relaxation during the substorm expansion phase onset. The absorption magnitude and the occurrence of substorms during the period of the campaign increase at times of high K_p, leading to an increase in median auroral absorption during disturbed periods.     

Analysis and modeling of the GLO-1 observations of meteoric metals in the thermosphere

The GLO-1 experiment measured the radiance of ambient atmospheric species and of meteoric metals, including Na, Mg, Mg⁺ and Ca⁺, along lines of sight with tangent altitudes between 120–350 km. The results confirm earlier observations of a strong dawn/dusk asymmetry in thermospheric ion density and the concentration of ion density near the geomagnetic equator. The data also show a substantial amount of neutral Na in the thermosphere, with a dawn/dusk asymmetry similar to the ions. We observe the presence of Ca⁺ and Mg⁺ in the relative abundance comparable to the abundance ratio in meteoric material and in the sun. We are also able to simultaneously observe Mg and Mg⁺ in a few cases, over a range of altitudes. We have developed a model in an attempt to better understand these features. The one–dimensional model realistically and comprehensively incorporates the deposition of cosmic dust, transport by the equatorial electric field and diffusion, and ion and neutral chemistry specific to the three metal species studied. The model is driven by a single source function for dust influx, so that it can be used to predict the relative amounts of one metal species to another. These features of the model allow for diurnal variations and variations in latitude, reproducing the observations reasonably well on average.     

An Overview of Long-Term Trends in the Lower Ionosphere Below 120 km

The increasing concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere is expectedalso to modify the mesosphere and lower thermosphere (MLT region). However,the greenhouse cooling – instead of heating – at these heights is revealed by modelsand generally confirmed by observations. This should more or less affect variousionospheric parameters at these heights. The spatial and temporal structure oftemperature trends in the MLT region is quite complex and, therefore, such structureshould occur for trends in the lower ionosphere as well. In the lower part of theionosphere below about 90 km, the rocket measurements of electron density, theindirect phase reflection height measurements and the A3 radio wave absorptionmeasurements reveal trends corresponding to cooling and shrinking of the mesosphere,while riometric measurements of cosmic noise absorption provide inconclusive results.The radio wave absorption and rocket electron density measurements clearly display asubstantial dependence of trends on height. Ionosonde data show that there is amodel-expected trend in the maximum electron concentration of the E region ionosphere;foE is slightly increasing. On the other hand, the height of the normal E layer, h'E, isslightly decreasing. The nighttime LF radio wave reflection height measurements near95 km support an idea of increasing electron density. However, rather scarce rocketmeasurements display a negative trend in electron density at 90–120 km. The role ofthe solar cycle and other longer-term variability of natural origin in the determinationof observational trends must not be neglected. In spite of the general qualitativeagreement with model expectations, there is still some controversy between variousobservational trend results (hopefully, apparent rather than real), which needs to beclarified.     

A preliminary investigation of boundary layer effects on daytime atmospheric CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> concentrations at a mountaintop location in the Rocky Mountains

Observations of CO₂ concentration at a mountaintop in the Colorado Rockies in summer show a large diurnal variability with minimum CO₂ concentrations found between 10:00 and 18:00 MST. Simulations are performed with a mesoscale model to examine the effects of atmospheric structure and large-scale flows on the diurnal variability. In the simulations initialized without large-scale winds, the CO₂ minimum occurs earlier compared to the observations. Upslope flows play an important role in the presence of this early (pre-noon) minimum while the timing and magnitude of the minimum depend only weakly on the temperature structure. An increase in large-scale flow has a noticeable impact on the diurnal variability with a more gradual decrease in daytime CO₂ concentration, similar to summer-averaged observations. From the idealized simulations and a case study, it is concluded that multi-scale flows and their interactions have a large influence on the observed diurnal variability.     

Ionospheric slab thickness and its seasonal variations observed by GPS

The ionospheric slab thickness, the ratio of the total electron content (TEC) to the F2-layer peak electron density (NmF2), is closely related to the shape of the ionospheric electron density profile Ne (h) and the TEC. Therefore, the ionospheric slab thickness is a significant parameter representative of the ionosphere. In this paper, the continuous GPS observations in South Korea are firstly used to study the equivalent slab thickness (EST) and its seasonal variability. The averaged diurnal medians of December–January–February (DJF), March–April–May (MAM), June–July–August (JJA) and September–October–November (SON) in 2003 have been considered to represent the winter, spring, summer and autumn seasons, respectively. The results show that the systematic diurnal changes of TEC, NmF2 and EST significantly appeared in each season and the higher values of TEC and NmF2 are observed during the equinoxes (semiannual anomaly) as well as in the mid-daytime of each season. The EST is significantly smaller in winter than in summer, but with a consistent variation pattern. During 14–16 LT in daytime, the larger EST values are observed in spring and autumn, while the smaller ones are in summer and winter. The peaks of EST diurnal variation are around 10–18 LT which are probably caused by the action of the thermospheric wind and the plasmapheric flow into the F2-region.     

Biogeochemistry of iron in an acidic lake

In this paper, the fate of iron in Lake Cristallina, an acidic lake in the Alps of Switzerland, is discussed. A simple conceptual model is developed in order to explain the observed diel variation in dissolved iron(II) concentration. Biotite weathering provides reduced iron that is oxidized and subsequently precipitated in the lake. The amorphous Fe(III)hydroxide (FeOOH xH₂O), found in the sediments of Lake Cristallina, is an Fe(II) oxidation product. This oxygenation reaction is most probably catalyzed by bacteria surfaces, as indicated by the relatively high estimated oxidation rate compared to the oxidation rate of the homogeneous oxidation of inorganic Fe(II) species at the ambient pH of Lake Cristallina (pH 5.4 at 4 °C) and by the scanning electron micrograph pictures. Under the influence of light, these amorphous iron(III)hydroxide phases are reductively dissolved. The net concentration of Fe(II) reflects the balance of the reductive dissolution and the oxidation/precipitation reactions and tends to parallel the light intensity, leading to a diurnal variation in the Fe(II) concentration. The rate of the photochemical reductive dissolution of Lake Cristallina iron(III)hydroxides is greatly enhanced in situ and in the laboratory by addition of oxalate to the lake water.     

Variations in Methane Concentrations in the Water of the Don River and Taganrog Bay under the Effect of Natural Factors

Seasonal and diurnal variations in CH₄ concentration in the water of the Don River and Taganrog Bay are examined, and two maximums are recognized in the seasonal variations. The diurnal variations are shown to be affected by the meteorological conditions.     

Diurnal variability in riverine dissolved organic matter composition determined by in situ optical measurement in the San Joaquin River (California,USA)

Dissolved organic matter (DOM) concentration and composition in riverine and stream systems are known to vary with hydrological and productivity cycles over the annual and interannual time scales. Rivers are commonly perceived as homogeneous with respect to DOM concentration and composition, particularly under steady flow conditions over short time periods. However, few studies have evaluated the impact of short term variability (<1 day) on DOM dynamics. This study examined whether diurnal processes measurably altered DOM concentration and composition in the hypereutrophic San Joaquin River (California) during a relatively quiescent period. We evaluated the efficacy of using optical in situ measurements to reveal changes in DOM which may not be evident from bulk dissolved organic carbon (DOC) measurement alone. The in situ optical measurements described in this study clearly showed for the first time diurnal variations in DOM measurements, which have previously been related to both composition and concentration, even though diurnal changes were not well reflected in bulk DOC concentrations. An apparent asynchronous trend of DOM absorbance and chlorophyll‐a in comparison to chromophoric dissolved organic matter (CDOM) fluorescence and spectral slope S_290–350 suggests that no one specific CDOM spectrophotometric measurement explains absolutely DOM diurnal variation in this system; the measurement of multiple optical parameters is therefore recommended. The observed diurnal changes in DOM composition, measured by in situ optical instrumentation likely reflect both photochemical and biologically‐mediated processes. The results of this study highlight that short‐term variability in DOM composition may complicate trends for studies aiming to distinguish different DOM sources in riverine systems and emphasizes the importance of sampling specific study sites to be compared at the same time of day. The utilization of in situ optical technology allows short‐term variability in DOM dynamics to be monitored and serves to increase our understanding of its processing and fundamental role in the aquatic environment. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

TheT e-T n difference in the lowerE region and radio-wave absorption

Summary The difference observed between the electron temperature, T _e , and the neutral atmosphere temperature, T _n , is shown to be able to contribute significantly to the observed variability of ionospheric radio-wave absorption (A1 andHF-A3 measurements).     

Model simulation of the equatorial electrojet in the Peruvian and Philippine sectors

Between 100 and 120 km height at the Earth's magnetic equator, the equatorial electrojet (EEJ) flows as an enhanced eastward current in the daytime E region ionosphere, which can induce a magnetic perturbation on the ground. Calculating the difference between the horizontal components of magnetic perturbation (H) at magnetometers near the equator and about 6–9° away from the equator, ΔH, provides us with information about the strength of the EEJ. The NCAR Thermosphere–Ionosphere–Electrodynamics General Circulation Model (TIE-GCM) is capable of simulating the EEJ current and its magnetic perturbation on the ground. The simulated diurnal, seasonal (March equinox, June solstice, December solstice), and solar activity (F_10.7=80, 140 and 200 units) variations of ΔH in the Peruvian (76°W) and Philippine (121°E) sectors, and the relation of ΔH to the ionospheric vertical drift velocity, are presented in this paper. Results show the diurnal, seasonal and solar activity variations are captured well by the model. Agreements between simulated and observed magnitudes of ΔH and its linear relationship to vertical drift are improved by modifying the standard daytime E region photoionization in the TIE-GCM in order to better simulate observed E region electron densities.     

Absorption of Solar Radiation by Snow-and-Ice Cover of Lakes

Based on the analysis of data of many-year actinometric observations, a considerable temporal (interannual, seasonal, synoptic, and diurnal) and spatial variability of the albedo of the snow-and-ice cover of a shallow lake is shown. The ranges of variations in the albedo of snow and ice for a wide spectrum of the state of surface and weather conditions are presented. The variability of the thickness and structure of snow-and-ice cover is analyzed for different periods in winter. The results of field experiments aimed to determine the degree of absorption of solar radiation by snow and ice are presented. The effective coefficients of absorption of solar radiation by snow and ice are determined. The comparison of the observed and calculated values of the under-ice radiation has shown that the determined coefficients adequately describe the absorption of solar radiation by snow-and-ice cover.